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Thursday, 26 January 2006, 12:51 GMT

In pictures: Kosovo grieves

Thousands crane to get a view of the car carrying the coffin of the late Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova

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Thousands of Kosovo Albanians have lined the streets of the region's capital, Pristina, to pay their respects to their late President, Ibrahim Rugova, who has died aged 61.

A boy hold a picture of the late Ibrahim Rugova

A boy hold a picture of the late Ibrahim Rugova

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Rugova headed a non-violent struggle for national liberation for Kosovo Albanians, and was the only national leader many young people had known.

Soldiers carry the coffin of the late Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova

Soldiers carry the coffin of the late Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova

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His coffin was carried to a ceremonial hall by soldiers of the Kosovo Protection Corps.

Crowds lining the streets of Pristina.

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Much of the centre of Pristina, Kosovo's capital, came to a standstill.

The family of Ibrahim Rugova stare as his coffin passes by

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Ibrahim Rugova's wife Fana (centre) and three children stood in respect as the coffin was borne past them.

Kosovo Albanians at the coffin of the late President Ibrahim Rugova

Kosovo Albanians at the coffin of the late President Ibrahim Rugova

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Before the funeral the president lay in state at Kosovo's parliament building, where ordinary people were able to come and pay their last respects.

Soldiers carrying the coffin reflected in a portrait of Ibrahim Rugova

Soldiers carrying the coffin reflected in a portrait of Ibrahim Rugova

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Portraits of a beaming Rugova were erected in Pristina. Kosovo's government has declared 15 days of national mourning.

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